HUNDREDS OF BIRDS DIE AT ST. JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND EXHIBITION FARM IN AVIAN FLU TRAGEDY.

By Chandrayee Roy Choudhury, Canada:  A St. John's ,Newfoundland ,exhibition farm is under quarantine after being hit hard by a type of avian influenza that is deadly to birds and has been known to harm humans.

According to a report filed with the the World Organization for Animal Health, a flu strain found on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula killed 360 birds on Lester's Farm Chalet. The 59 remaining birds on the farm were destroyed to prevent further spread of the virus.

On Dec. 20, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 at the farm.

The presence of the virus was also confirmed in ducks and geese on the farm.

Samples have been collected from wild birds and are being analyzed.

A University of Montreal professor who studies viral infections in animals says it's important to prevent the virus from spreading.If the virus does spread, it could damage the country's poultry industry.